Back to Learn

EVALUATE YOUR OPTIONS

Your 3-Step Guide

Choosing your Medicare coverage is an important decision. It pays to take some time to learn what type of plan works best for your needs and budget.

Follow these three steps to guide your decision-making process:

Step 1: Learn about Medicare plan types

Step 2: Assess your needs

Step 3: Shop and enroll

Step 1: Learn about Medicare plan types

There are several types of private plans available that cover costs not covered by Original Medicare alone. It's important to understand these plan types before you choose your coverage.

Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage plans are private Part C plans that administer your Part A and Part B benefits on behalf of Medicare. These plans typically combine medical and Part D drug coverage and offer extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing and a gym membership.

Medicare Advantage plans charge a premium that is additional to your Part B premium. The premium may change annually, but it’s not tied to your age.

You are eligible if you:

  • Are enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B
  • Are a permanent resident in the plan service area
  • Do not have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

Medicare Cost Plans

Medicare Cost plans supplement Original Medicare coverage by paying costs that Medicare doesn't cover and by providing extra benefits like travel, dental, vision, hearing and a gym membership.

You are eligible if you:

  • Are enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B or Part B only
  • Are a permanent resident in the plan service area
  • Do not have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

Supplement (Medigap) Plans

Medicare supplement plans (or Medigap plans) cover some of the costs that Original Medicare does not cover, like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.

You are eligible if you:

  • Are enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B
  • Are a permanent resident in the plan service area at the time of enrollment

Need Help?

1-877-704-7864
(TTY: 711)

Questions? Connect with Us

Find a Medicare workshop
Contact a Medica consultant 

Get Info Kit

Request a Medicare: Your Next Chapter Kit

Step 2: Assess your needs

Ask yourself a few questions. Your answers will help determine the types of services and amount of coverage you need.

Question:

Would you rather pay a higher monthly premium and have lower out-of-pocket costs, or pay a lower monthly premium with higher out-of-pocket costs?

Higher Premiums/ Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs Lower Premiums/ Higher Out-of-Pocket Costs
  • Medicare Cost Plan
  • Medicare Supplement Plan
  • Medicare Supplement Plan + Part D PDP
  • Medicare Cost Plan
  • Medicare Advantage Plan

Question:

Would you be willing to see doctors and other health care providers from a health plan's network in order to pay your lowest copays/coinsurance?

I'm comfortable seeing providers from within a plan network. I want the flexibility to see any provider that accepts Medicare.
  • Medicare Cost Plan
  • Medicare Advantage Plan
  • Medicare Supplement Plan
  • Medicare Supplement Plan + Part D PDP

Question:

Do you travel frequently and need health care services away from home?

Yes, I need to be able to access health care services on the road. No, I take care of most of my health care needs at home.
  • Medicare Cost Plan
  • Medicare Supplement Plan
  • Medicare Supplement Plan + Part D PDP
  • Medicare Cost Plan
  • Medicare Advantage Plan

Question:

Do you want Part D prescription drug coverage?

Yes, I want Part D drug coverage. No, I don't want Part D drug coverage.
  • Medicare Cost Plan
  • Medicare Advantage Plan
  • Medicare Supplement Plan + Part D PDP
  • Medicare Cost Plan
  • Medicare Supplement Plan

Question:

Which type of plan might be closer to your interests?

A plan that helps pay some of the out-of-pocket health care costs that Original Medicare does not pay. A plan that helps pay some of the out-of-pocket health care costs that Original Medicare does not pay PLUS offers additional benefits such as routine hearing or vision coverage.
  • Medicare Supplement Plan
  • Medicare Supplement Plan + Part D PDP
  • Medicare Cost Plan
  • Medicare Advantage Plan

Step 3: Compare plans and enroll

After you've learned all about Medicare, you'll be ready to see the plans we've created to meet your healthcare needs.

Every plan is different — find the right one for you.

Compare our plans and enroll